The purpose of this brief thread is to hopefully put a few Forum members’ minds at ease about my oil testing efforts. It’s no secret that some folks doubted the value of my testing and the resulting data. They didn’t agree with it and said so. And I can understand that because everyone has been lead to believe that high zinc levels in motor oil was the Holy Grail, and my testing said otherwise.

As I’ve recently posted, there are several independent Industry sources that have validated and backed-up my test results. But, I’m pleased to announce today that the endorsement that means the most to me comes from Dr. Lars Grimsrud. He is the most respected Engineer, Car builder and Tech Guru on the Corvette C3 Forum. Here’s a link:

He mentioned the following to me, “I run a Propulsion Testing Laboratory for Lockheed Martin Space Systems, so I'm in the testing business. Your methods and approach are in accordance with sound engineering testing methods, and are not arguable by intelligent people”.

He was so impressed with my testing, that he asked me if he could include one of my Oil Testing write-ups in with the Tech Papers he makes available to enthusiasts. I was flattered that he’d ask me, and I happily agreed. He also told me this about my Oil Testing info, “This is excellent stuff, and I've already sent copies of this to my engineering colleagues”.

So, my Oil Testing Information is now available along with the Tech Papers written by him and other highly respected Industry authors.

NOTE: You can contact him about these Tech Papers or about his endorsement of my testing, by going to that Forum link above.

On his list, mine is called “Engine Oils Tested and Rated” (Rev. A), by Rick Jackson (my real name for those who didn’t already know it).

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Here’s his total list of available Tech Papers (this first group is by Lars himself):

Hopefully, we can now all be on the same page about motor oil testing, and engage in pleasant and respectful motor oil discussions. After all, that kind of thing is what the Forum is supposed to be all about. And if we can do that, people can finally use the truth and the facts to choose their motor oil. In that case, everyone wins.

RAT come clean. Its your way to convince people you are legit and not a BSer. I know John Hinckley. I will talk to him about you. Now where is the test engine we all have asked for you to perform oil testings. Also i agree with other poster, lets see pics of all your equipment, yourself, and your dipolma your received in college. You want respect you have to earn it.

The problem is is that your tests do not directly relate to a running engine. Period. They really, really do not relate to a running engine.

I am no tribologist. I do not have a degree in mechanical engineering(I do have a BS in engineering). BUT, I have been building engines for 35 years and I can tell you FOR SURE, if you use some of those oils that score well in your tests in an actual high performance engine they will not do as well as some of those that do not score very well.

PERIOD.

It may not be that they have high levels of zinc, it may not be because they have high levels of whatever. It IS because they do a better job of lubricating an actual RUNNING ENGINE.

If you expect to have the people here respecting your results you need to have data from actual testing with real running engines. Anything else is just interesting anecdotal data at best.

If you really want to test oil you need to do tests on actual engines!

Followed that link RAT posted and found two threads (one is a sticky), most of the posts are either asking about RAT's methods, warning that his testing is flawed, and so on just like on this forum. I did not find any endorsement by this Lars guy, but did find a Pennzoil ad, they are listed as a forum sponsor.

The problem is is that your tests do not directly relate to a running engine. Period. They really, really do not relate to a running engine.

I am no tribologist. I do not have a degree in mechanical engineering(I do have a BS in engineering). BUT, I have been building engines for 35 years and I can tell you FOR SURE, if you use some of those oils that score well in your tests in an actual high performance engine they will not do as well as some of those that do not score very well.

PERIOD.

It may not be that they have high levels of zinc, it may not be because they have high levels of whatever. It IS because they do a better job of lubricating an actual RUNNING ENGINE.

If you expect to have the people here respecting your results you need to have data from actual testing with real running engines. Anything else is just interesting anecdotal data at best.

If you really want to test oil you need to do tests on actual engines!

What can you do dyno it and measure wear and then replace the bearings cam and followers and try the next oil?

How about a bearing mock up?
Use rod bearings and two caps that habe been line honed and hook it up to a press and turn it with a small block Chevy or an 50hp electric motor and chart hydraulic pressure vs rpm drop or pressure vs amp draw.
Maybe bend the shaft a couple thou out to represent some of the shock load a rod brg will see

Now turn a cam with the motor and hold the lifters down with a top fuel Spring and measure the cycles till it guals?

''ACE" Arm Chair Engineer. I have always found it interesting how a piece of college paper can make some people act, especially mechanical engineers. Thirty- three years in power stations, I have saw them all. From the bull shitters to the over inflated egos to the real deals. A good friend of mine is a mechanical engineer and was a professor at Va. Tech. He is a main ''go to'' in the company and he is not afraid to put on coveralls and get greasy dirty doing a job. hats off to these guys. This other guy here on ST has backed himself into a corner. The crap has been going on for a while, yet no proof......bullshitter.

RAT lets come clean. Either your legit by proving it, or your not. Prove it, Pictures, equipment, your full name and college degree pasted on line. If you have nothing, i mean nothing to hide, ante up and give what we all want, legit honest answers.

BigBlocksOnTop2 wrote:''ACE" Arm Chair Engineer. I have always found it interesting how a piece of college paper can make some people act, especially mechanical engineers. Thirty- three years in power stations, I have saw them all. From the bull shitters to the over inflated egos to the real deals. A good friend of mine is a mechanical engineer and was a professor at Va. Tech. He is a main ''go to'' in the company and he is not afraid to put on coveralls and get greasy dirty doing a job. hats off to these guys. This other guy here on ST has backed himself into a corner. The crap has been going on for a while, yet no proof......bullshitter.

X2. I have seen them in Motorsport all over the world over a lot of years. Ask AJ Foyt and a couple others what they think of engineers. I have one guy I helped a little with a quite quick SCCA car and all I heard was this and that engineer, could'nt win the runnoff listening to them. 90 % bullshitters and do not know in Motorsport what make the cars quick. MHO.